Tummy Tuck Discomfort for over a Year?

I had a full tummy tuck nearly 15 months ago, and I am still experiencing moderate pain and almost constant swelling. I have experienced spasms I can feel with my hand, the hard kind, not the fluttery spasms. I got pneumonia after surgery and the coughing was unbearable. I started swimming and doing crunches six months after surgery and was told to stop until the 1 year mark. It's over a year and I still hurt and swell and have to wear a girdle to ease the pain. Are any of these normal?

Doctor Answers 7

This isn't normal

March 31st, 2009

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What you are describing is clearly not the normal course for a tummy tuck patient to follow. At most, 3 months after surgery you should be doing everything normally and feeling very good. I would go back to your doctor and have this evaluated or seek another opinion and exam in your area.

Tummy Tuck Pictures

Discomfort after a tummy tuck

May 30th, 2010

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Tummy tucks are very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen. Patients who received the teacher should understand that there is a significant recovery process afterwards. Patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Usually the discomfort will result in one to two months.

If you continue to have discomfort 15 months after your surgery, visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon and relay your concerns. They will be able to examine you and determine if the discomfort is coming from the level of your muscle, or a more superficial layer. It is possible that he may have a knot of scar tissue that is causing this discomfort and this may be treated with a small revision surgery.

To learn more about tummy tucks, see photos, and help you decide which one is best for you, please visit us at the link below:

You may have a hernia

March 31st, 2009

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This is very unusual and you should have a full evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon. Please get more consultation. The symptoms you describe are similar with hernia or bulging( weaking of the suture line).

Not typical...

March 31st, 2009

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There are many reasons to have problems after surgery, but what you are describing is certainly outside the norm. It is possible that a chronic infection could cause prolonged swelling and spasms, but that usually makes itself apparent by coming to the surface. Some of the sutures that are used to tighten the abdominal wall could cause pain as well. Bottom line, you need to be re-evaluated, either by your surgeon or someone else. Good luck!

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